Team Sky kit sponsor explains why carbon wheel disintegrated in TT
Gianni Moscon's front carbon wheel fell apart during the Tirreno-Adriatico TTT and left him cut to pieces. Now the wheel supplier outlines what it believes happened.
The opening TTT stage Tirreno-Adriatico in March was a nightmare for Team Sky. Some of the wheels the riders were using fell apart mid-stage.
When Gianni Moscon's front wheel simply disintegrated it was captured by the TV cameras.
And the young Italian was left with sever road rash when his PRO 3-spoke front wheel gave way and then shattered into pieces.
The wheel supplier PRO said it now believes the reason the wheels fell apart was the incorrect tyres being used on the day.
It has released a statement saying it has reached its conclusion after lots of research.
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“PRO conducted a thorough investigation to replicate the circumstances, to examine its strict safety standards and to ensure that the safety of riders remains the highest priority,” it said.
“The investigation concluded that the 3-spoke wheel is completely safe to continue racing.
“The incident occurred because the rider hit a pot hole at high speed on a tyre that did not meet the minimum tyre width specification as advised by PRO.
“Athletes can have the confidence that the 3-spoke wheel is the perfect choice for victory as long as the correct usage conditions are followed.”
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Hope you're okay @GianniMoscon ? pic.twitter.com/7WjfmIvhW0
— Ela (@eladogruyol) March 8, 2017
The awkward moment when your wheel decides it’s had enough… ? pic.twitter.com/XiK4lQF9v3
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) March 8, 2017
It advised all riders using its 3-spoke time trial wheel to choose a minimum recommended tyre width of 24mm (622-24).
And it urged this using the wheels to inspect for damage following impact and to stop riding in the event of a puncture.
Several Team Sky wheels failed on day
Not shown on television on the day was the fact that the same faith befell Moscon's team mates Diego Rosa and Mikel Landa in 22.7km event.
Geraint Thomas said the delays in waiting for five riders to regroup to continue with the ride completely ruined their chances.
And in the end Team Sky finished in 1:42 down in winners BMC Racing.
Thomas said the three riders whose wheels fell apart each hit one of three holes.
The impact damaged the carbon rims with the speed they were riding at - in excess of 60km per hour - taking care of the rest.
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